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New Surgery Drops Blood Pressure 30%

By aarontco,  Newser User

Posted Nov 17, 2010 7:13 PM CST | Promoted on Newser Nov 18, 2010 12:08 PM CST

(User Submitted) – A new surgical technique can lower blood pressure by up to 30% by destroying tiny nerves in the arteries leading to the kidneys. These nerves regulate blood supply, but can be overactive in some patients, dangerously boosting blood pressure. This new procedure inserts a small probe through a catheter in the renal arteries and produces heat sufficient to kill off the nerves.

The surgery can be completed in about 40 to 60 minutes and only requires an overnight stay in the hospital. Only 10% of patients were unresponsive to treatment, according to research being published in The Lancet, compared to almost 50% who are unresponsive to traditional blood pressure medications. Furthermore, meds often only reduce blood pressure by 10%, making the new method almost three times better. Read the full article.

This illustration provided by Ardian's Symplicity Catheter System shows the Symplicity Catheter System, which delivers low-power RF energy to deactivate the renal sympathetic nerves.
This illustration provided by Ardian's Symplicity Catheter System shows the Symplicity Catheter System, which delivers low-power RF energy to deactivate the renal sympathetic nerves.   (AP Photo/Ardian's Symplicity Catheter System)
A study reported Nov. 17, 2010 says that some people who couldn't get their blood pressure under control despite taking a fistful of pills every day found relief from an experimental treatment.
A study reported Nov. 17, 2010 says that some people who couldn't get their blood pressure under control despite taking a fistful of pills every day found relief from an experimental treatment.   (AP Photo/Ardian's Symplicity Catheter System)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 19 comments
aarontco
Nov 18, 2010 12:57 PM CST
Reducing high blood pressure can prevent many other more serious chronic health problems later on, so this kind of surgery would be money well spent, even if it does have a price tag, according to the article on the order of $10,000. Invariably, the cost will come down after a few years.
Fascist_Jack
Nov 18, 2010 12:12 PM CST
As people live loinger in this entitlement society, it is sure to spell fiscal doom as well.
bewilderbeast
Nov 18, 2010 5:44 AM CST
This musta been found out by accident? OOPS! We cut his nerves! Shhhh, don't tell him, let's just see what happens.

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